Malting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for malting barley including an elongated germination compartment and a plurality of vertically extending, transversely spaced augers moveable longitudinally within the compartment for intermittently mixing the barley during the germination period. To remove the malted barley from the germination compartment, the compartment floor includes a centrally positioned, longitudinally extending opening. A plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of gates are pivotably mounted within the floor opening; the gates comprising each pair are pivotally attached to opposite edges of the opening for pivotal movement between a generally horizontal floor-forming position closing the opening and a downwardly inclined position allowing the malt within the compartment to pass through the opening to suitable means (e.g. a conveyor) for transporting the malt to a drying kiln. A transversely extending auger is removeably mounted immediately behind the vertically extending augers and adjacent the compartment floor for moving the barley transversely within the germination compartment toward the centrally positioned floor opening during the compartment unloading operation. Pneumatic switches are positioned along the side of the germination compartment to automatically and independently pivot (i.e., open) the floor gates at successive predetermined positions of the transversely extending auger.

United States Patent '[191 Damon [111 3,840,435 [451 Oct. 8, 1974 MALTING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Rees El Damon, Minneapolis, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Rahr Malting Company,

Minneapolis, Minn.

[22] Filed: June 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 262,620

Primary 'ExaminerAlvin E. Tanenholtz [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for malting barley including an elongated germination compartment and a plurality of vertically extending, transversely spaced augers moveable longitudinally within the compartment for intermittently mixing the barley during the germination period. To remove the malted barley from the germination compartment, the compartment floor includes a centrally positioned, longitudinally extending opening. A plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of gates are pivotably mounted within the floor opening; the gates comprising each pair are pivotally attached to opposite edges of the opening for pivotal movement between a generally horizontal floor-forming position closing the opening and a downwardly inclined position allowing the malt within the compartment to pass through the opening to suitable means (e.-g. a conveyor) for transporting the malt to a drying kiln. A transversely extending auger is removeably mounted immediately behind the vertically extending augers and adjacent the compartmentfloor for moving the barley transversely within the germination compartment toward the centrally positioned floor opening during the compartment unloading operation. Pneumatic switches are positioned along the side of the germination compartment to automatically and independently pivot (i.e., open) the floor gates at successive predetermined positions of the transversely extending auger.

9 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to malting apparatus and particularly to apparatus for removing malt from a germination compartment or kiln.

2. Description of the Prior Art The process of steeping grain in water and allowing it to germinate so as to obtain a softened grain product is an ancient art commonly referred to as malting. Although a wide variety of grains can be malted, the malt obtained from barley is in great demand for use in brewing and distilling processes. The malt obtained from other grains (e.g. wheat, oats, rye, etc.) are highly digestive and nutrative with medicinal as well as numerous other applications.

In developing the techniques and apparatus presently utilized to provide large volume malting, the art of malting has undergone tremendous advances. Initially, the wetted or steeped grain was spread in a thin layer over a horizontal surface so as to fully expose the grain to the air thereby allowing germination to occur. While this method is practical for small volume malting, it results in an inefficient and highly uneconomical useage of space when applied to large scale commercial malting. Subsequent methods were developed which utilized perforated germination chambers. To reduce the space requirement, the perforated chambers were typically positioned in a vertically spaced relationship. The air necessary for germination of the grain to occur was introduced into the chambers through the perforated walls and floor. To assure that the entire volume of grain was exposed to air, periodic mixing was accomplished by emptying (i.e., dumping) the grain in each chamber into the chamber immediately below. While this approach significantly reduced the volume of space necessary for malting a given quantity of grain, it did not provide as high volume malting as desired nor did it reliably provide a properly malted product.

With the advent of high-power electricmotors, electrical power driven mixing apparatus has been developed eliminating the necessity for dumpable, vertically spaced germination chambers to obtain the desired mixing. The germination chambers are now typically elongated compartments or bins of various depths (e.g., 2-5 feet) having perforated floors through which air is circulated. The mixing apparatus, commonly in the form of a plurality of transversely spaced, vertically extending augers, moves longitudinally within the compartment exposing all of the grain to air during the germination period.

To remove the malt from such an elongated compartment, two basic approaches are presently utilized. One approach utilizes a plow-like device drawn by a wire rope through the compartment for conveying the germinated grain to a grain outlet in one end of the compartment. Alternatively, the germination compartments are provided with an entirely dumpable floor. This floor includes a plurality of contiguous floor sections extending across the entire width of the germination compartment and which are pivotal about a transverse axis between a horizontal floor-forming position and a substantially vertical position for allowing the barley to pass into a hopper below the floor. Both of these approaches, however, have numerous disadvantages. For instance, the utilization of the plow-like device does not provide nearly as rapid removal of the barley as is desirable and requires considerable manual labor to operate and supervise. Similarly, the utilization 'of pivotable floor sections of the type utilized in the prior art necessitates a large monetary outlay in constructing the malting bin and, in addition, necessitates essentially continuous maintenance to keep the apparatus functioning properly. Also, after completion of the dumping operation, the compartment floor has to be manually cleaned necessitating further expenditure of manual labor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides malting apparatus which includes an elongated germination compartment having a horizontal floor. This floor defines an elongated opening extending longitudinally within the floor and which is preferably centrally positioned. Mounted within this opening are gate means pivotable about a longitudinal axis between a generally horizontal position substantially closing said opening and a downwardly extending position. To properly expose the grain to air during the germination process, agitating means are preferably provided which are moveable longitudinally within the compartment. Finally, to remove the germinated malt from the compartment, generally transversely extending conveyor means are provided for conveying the grain toward the centrally positioned opening in the compartment floor. Preferably, means are provided for automatically pivoting the gate means to their downwardly extending position at a predetermined position of the conveyor means within the compartment.

The present malting apparatus has been found to be highly desirable since it provides both reliable malting and efficient discharging of the malt from the germination compartment. Furthermore, the latter advantage is provided without necessitatingnearly as large a number of pivotable floor sections as presently required by the aforementioned pivotable floor construction. Rather, the present invention only necessitates the utilization of pivotable floor sections within a central opening in the compartment floor. As a result, the present invention accomplishes a significant reduction in the initial expense of installing the malt unloading apparatus and in the maintenance work necessary to maintain the apparatus functioning properly. In addition, the automatic control apparatus provided by the present invention eliminates much of the labor heretofore required during the malt removal operation. For instance, the germinated grain is so completely removed from the germination compartment by the present invention that it is unnecessary to manually clean the compartment as heretofore has been the case. F urther advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts of the invention throughout the various figures:

FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of the malting apparatus provided by the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmented, cross-sectional view of the malting apparatus taken along the plane 3-3of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the transverse auger'utilized to facilitate removal of the malt product from-the germination compartment;

FIG.'5 is an enlarged, fragmented cross-sectional view taken along theplane 5-5of FIG. 1; i FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane 6-6 of FIG 5 illustrating the pneumatic cylinder arrangement for pivoting the floor gates'in the germination compartment;

- FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmented top elevational view of the transverse auger shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-section of the malting apparatus taken along the plane 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9' is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-section taken along the plane 9-9 of FIG. 1 showing the malt agitator means in position for connection to the transverse auger; v

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of the malt agitator taken along the plane 10-10 of FIG. 5 showing the agitator adjustment means for properly attaching the transverse auger to the agitator;

- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectionalview taken along the plane 11-11 of FIG 10; i

FIG. 12 is a fragmented, longitudinal cross-section of the malting apparatus taken along the plane 12-12 of FIG. 1 and showing the pneumatic switching mechanism for sequentially opening the floor gates in the germination compartment;

FIG. 13 'is an enlarged, fragmented side elevation taken along the plane 13-13 of FIG. 3-showing the positioning of the switch mechanism for controlling the floor gates in the germination compartment;

FIG. 14 is a fragmented, top elevational, view of an alternative transverse auger having a brush positioned immediately behind the auger; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of further alternative apparatus for use in conveying germinated grain to a central opening in the germination compartment floor.

- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS section having a depth of about 4 feet, a width of about 27 feet, and a length of about 125 feet. Other shapes and dimensions can, of course, be utilized.

A grain (e.g. barley) is introduced into compartment 15 in any suitablemanner (e.g..by a belt or screw conveyor). The manner by which grain is introduced into compartment 15 is not critical to the present invention and will not be further described. Malting of the grain is accomplished by steeping the grain in cylindrical tanks prior to introducing the grain into compartment 15 and then, germinating the steeped grain in the germinating'compartment '15 by exposing the grain to an aerating medium (e.g. 'air for about 3 to 6 days. The apparatus described hereinbelow assures the proper exposure of the steeped grain to the aerating medium and facilitates efficient and reliable discharge of the malt product from the germination compartment.

The compartment floor 20 includes two outer floor sections 22a and 22b which extend inwardly from sidewalls 16 and 17, so as to define a centrally positioned elongated opening 23 extending longitudinally essentially the entire length of germination compartment 15. The floor sections 22a and 22b are formed by a plurality of longitudinally contiguous, transverselyextending frame members 24. Each of the frame members 24 are positioned in their floor-forming position by a vertical support arm 25 attached by a removeable pin 25a to a longitudinally extending base member 26. A perforated metal sheet or screen 27 is carried by each of the frame members 24. Screens 27 are of sufficiently large mesh so as to prevent the passage of grain therethrough while allowing the aerating medium to pass freely therethrough into the germination compartment 15. The arrangement and design of the frame members 24 is not critical to the present invention nor is the selection of screens 27 so long as the mesh thereof is chosen so as not to allow the passage of grain therethrough. While theme of a plurality of supporting frames 24 and screens 27 allows damaged portions of the floor to be readily replaced, floor sections 22a and 22b can each be constructed as a single, unitary floor section.

Gate means, generally designated 28, are mounted within the longitudinally extending opening 23 in germination compartment floor 20. As shown, the gate means 28 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced gate pairs each comprising a gate member 280 and a gate member 28b. Each pair of gate members 28a and 28b is pivotably attached in an opposing relationship to opposite edges of the opening 23 by means of a plurality .of hinges 29. The gate means 28 further includes gate pivoting means 30 associated with one end of each of the gate members 28a and 28b for pivoting the hinged gates between a horizontally extending first position closing the opening 23 and a downwardly extending second position allowing grain within germination compartment 15 to pass through opening 23. Each of the gate pivoting means 30 includes a pheumatic cylinder or jack 31 having one end thereof pivotably attached to one of a plurality of transversely extending members 32 which are attached to frame members 26 by a vertical member 32a. a second end of cylinder 31 is pivotably attached to an actuating arm 33.

As shown, a first end 33a of actuating arm 33 is pivot-- ably attached to the frame member 32 and a second end 33b is attached to a gate member 28a or 28b'via a connecting arm 34. Although the described manner of attaching pneumatic cylinder 31 to gate members 28a and 28b has been found highly desirable, numerous other arrangements can be utilized. As described subsequently in greater detail, each of the pneumatic cylinders 31 is connected to a different one of a plurality of pneumatic switches 35a, 35b, 350....35n positioned along the top edge of sidewall 16. The switches 35a, 35b, 35a,...35n sequentially actuate the penumatic cylinders 31 automatically and independently pivoting each of the gate member 28a and 28b between their I horizontally extending, floor-forming first position and their downwardly extending, open second position. (In

FIG. 5, gate 28a is shown in its downwardly extending open position and gate 28b is shown in its horizontally extending closed position in solid lines and in its open position in dotted lines.)

As can best be seen in FIG. 2, a V-shaped chamber or hopper 40 is positioned beneath the germination compartment floor 20. A conveying screw or auger 42 extends longitudinally along the bottom or apex of V- shaped hopper 40 for conveying the malt discharged from germination compartment to a suitable drying kiln. It should be understood that the shape of hopper 40 is not critical and, in fact, a chamber having a rectangular transverse cross-section can be utilized. Additionally, various types of conveyor means can be utilized to convey the discharged malt to the drying kiln. It is, of course, highly desirable that conveyor 42 is of sufficient capacity so as not to overload upon the opening of gates 28a and 28b and the subsequent discharging of the malt from germination compartment 15. A number of longitudinally spaced vertical supportmembers 43 extend upwardly through the walls of hopper 40 from the support structure (not shown) so as to support the longitudinally extending floor support members 26. An inverted, longitudinally extending V- Shaped member 44 is centrally positioned beneath the opening 23 to provide further rigidity to the floor structure.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8, the horizontal floor 20 further defines a pair of transversely extending openings 45a and 45b adjacent the endwall 18. A pair of transversely spaced gate members 46a and 46b are pivotably mounted within the openings 45a and 45b, respectively, and are caused to pivot between a horizontally extending floor forming position and a downwardly extending, open position by operation of gate pivoting means 47 associated with each of the gates 46a and 46b. Gate pivoting means 47 is similar to previously described gate pivoting means 30 and includes a pneumatic cylinder 48 acting through an actuating arm 49a and a connecting arm 49b to pivot the respective gate 46a and 46b. Finally, a pair of transversely extending openings 50a and 50b adjacent endwall 19 each have mounted therein a pair of gate members 51 and i 52. Gates 51 and 52 are each pivotable by gate pivoting means in the form of a pneumatic cylinder 53 acting through an actuating arm 55 and a connecting arm 57 to pivot the attached gate. The pneumatically operable cylinders 48 and 53 are each connected to an appropriately positioned one of the pneumatic switches 35a, 35b, 35c...35n positioned along the sidewall 16. While the utilization of gate members 46a, 46b, 51 and 52 is not necessary to the operation of the present invention, it has been found to significantly facilitate the total removal of malt product from germination compartment 15.

Malt agitating means, generally designated 60, are provided for thoroughly mixing the grain introduced into germination compartment 15 and thus exposing the entire volume of grain to air during the germination period. Agitating means 60 includes a plurality of electrically driven augers 62 positioned in a transversely adjacent relationship across generally the entire width of germination compartment 15. As shown, the augers 62 are mounted between a pair of transversely extending beams 63a and 63b and extend vertically downward so that the lower end of each auger is adjacent the compartment floor 20. The transversely spaced augers engage alternatively right and left hand helixes positioned contiguous one another. A brush or scraper blade 65 is attached to each of the augers 62 along the bottom edge of the respective auger so as to engate the compartment floor 20. The scrapers 65 are formed from a resilient material so as not to damage compartment floor 20 yet engage the floor with sufficient pressure to loosen the malt adjacent the floor preventing the malt from matting. An electric motor 68 is supported by the beams 63a and 63b above the sidewall 17. Electric motor 68 drives each of the augers 62 via a transversely extending drive shaft 69 connected to a differential 70 for each auger 62. Thus, the augers 62 rotate simultaneously and, in the preferred embodiment, with the same rotational speed.

Agitating means 60 is caused to move longitudinally within the germination compartment 15 by an electrical motor mounted on the beam 63b. The drive train includes a vertical drive shaft 76 connected to electrical motor 75 and a differential 77 connected to drive shaft 76 for transferring the power to a transversely extending drive shaft 78. The drive shaft 78 is connected to drive gears 80 located at each end of the agitating means 60 (i.e., above the sidewalls 16 and 17). Each drive gear 80 is mated-with a drive wheel 82 positioned on a track 84 supported by the upper edge each of the sidewalls 16 and 17. Upon activation of motor 75, the drive wheels 82 are caused to rotate on the tracks 84 moving the agitating means 60 longitudinally within the germination compartment 15. A pair of idler wheels 86 located at each end of the agitating means 60 assist in supporting and guiding the agitating means 60 along along track 84 and adjacent the endwalls l8 and 19, re-

spectfully. The switches 90 and 91 are activated by a first switch actuating arm or plate 93a projecting outward from agitator 60. (See FIG. 13). Switches 90 and 91 control the movement of agitating means 60 within compartment 15, the pneumatic switch 90 stopping the movement of agitating means 60 as it approaches endwall 18. Pneumatic switch 91 performs the same operation at the opposite end of compartment 15; i.e., it stops the movement of agitating means 60 as it approaches endwall l9. Agitating means 60 is manually restarted to provide intermittent mixing at time inter-. vals dependent on the progress of the germination pro cess, the desired end product, etc. Agitator 60 includes a second pneumatic switch actuating arm or rod 93b projecting laterally outward therefrom above sidewall 16 for actuating the pneumatic switches 35a, 35b, 35c...35n in the manner subsequently described. To provide a liquid (e.g. water) for increasing the moisture content of the grain within the germination compartment 15, a water spray pipe 94 extends transversely across the front of agitating means 60. Pipe 94 is connectable to a supply of water (not shown) and, when necessary, uniformly sprays water onto the grain during the movementof agitating means'60 within compartment 15. j v

"A conveyor means 95, including two transversely extending screw conveyors or augers 96a and 96b mounted within a frame 97, is provided for removing the malted product from germination compartment 15. As described subsequently in greater detail, the augers 96a and 96b are reversely threaded so that each conveys malted grain toward the longitudinallyextending opening 23 in compartment floor 20. To accomplish this, the augers 96a and 96b are driven by a drive shaft 100 which is connectable to drive shaft 69 through a sprocket and chain arrangement generally designated 98 and a differential 101a. Drive shaft 100 operates through a second differential l01b and a pair of con- 1128 attached to each of the attachment arms necting drive shafts 102a and 10211 to drive the auger portions 96a and 96b, respectively. Conveyor means 95 further-includes four generally T-shaped attachment arms 105a, 105b, 1050 and 105d each extending vertically upward from' frame 97. The attachment arms 105a-105d are positionedin a transversely spaced relationship with the inner two arms 105b and 1050 positioned adjacent the drive shaft 100 on opposite sides thereof. Aplate member 107 extends transversely between arms 105b and 105g. The two outer attachment arms 105a and 105d are attached adjacent theouter end of the augers 96a and 96b, respectively. Finally, a

generally rigid shield member 110 extends transversely along the rear edge of augers 96a and 96b and a flexible scraper blade 112 is attached to thebottom edge of shield 110 so as to brush along bin floor 20. The shield 110 and blade 112 facilitate the augers 96a and 96b in inwardly moving the malt product toward the center opening 23. A water spray conduit 114 extends along the outer vertical surface of shield 110 and isconnectconnected by a belt and pulley arrangement 117 to the connecting drive shafts 102a and utilized to rotate augers 96a and 96b, respectively. The utilization of the brush 115 has been found to further facilitate complete removal of all the malt product from germination compartment 15.

In a second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 15, a compressed air conduit or line 118 is mounted behind the augers 96a and 96b adjacent water spray conduit 114. A plurality of nozzles 119 extend downwardly aforementioned movement of agitator means 60, the

endwall 18 includes a lower door or gate portion 18a which is moveable upward by a wire rope and pulley arrangement 120 so as to allow the augers 96a and 96b to be moved past the endwall 18 toastorage position seen best in FIGS. 8, 9 and 12. in this position, the T- shaped attachment arms 105a-105d extend upwardly along endwall 18 and the drive shaft 100 extends upwardly through an opening in the floor structure adjacent the endwall. The conveyor means 95 is held in its storage or non-use position by a plurality of hooks 126 pivotably anchored to the floor structure adjacent to endwall 18 and which releaseably engage an eyelet When the grain within germination compartment 15 has reached the proper state of germination, the malt product is removed from the bin by the attachment of conveyor means 95 to the agitating means 60. To attach conveyor means 95 to agitating means 60, the agitating means includes four moveable carriagearrangements 130a, 130b, 130a and 130d for receiving the attachment arms 105a-105d, respectively. Each of the carriage arrangements l30a-130d are substantially identical and, as best seen in FIG. 10, each includes a first pair of moveable members 132 and asecond pair of moveable members 133. The moveable pair of members 132 are generally L-shaped and are pivotably attached to opposite sides of a frame member 136 by a pin 134. Frame member 136 is attached to the undersideof the two transverse beams 63a and 63b. Likewise, the pair of members 133 are generally L -shaped and attached to opposite sides of frame 136 by a pin 135. A connecting rod 138 is pivotably attached at it opposite ends to L-shaped members 132 and 133 to provide simultaneous movement of the members. Movement of the interconnected members 132 and 133 is effected by a crank member 140 mounted on the beams 63a and 63b and which is connected to the upper portion 132a of L-shaped members 132 so as to pivot the interconnected pairs of members 132 and 133 about pins 134 and 135, respectively, upon the rotation of the crank. As can be readily appreciated,'this pivotal movement of the L-shaped members 132 results in the bottom portion 132b of members 132 moving along an arcuate path raising and lowering this portion for height adjustment purposes. Thus, by such movement of the carriages 130a-130d, an opening in bottom portion 13217 of the L-shaped members 132 is brought into alignment with an opening 148 in the mating attachment arm 105a-105d. So aligned, a pin 150 is infrom compressed air line 118; each of the nozzles 119 being designed and arranged so as to direct a generally flat, triangular-shaped air pattern inwardly toward center opening 23. This has been found to effectively remove from germination compartment 15 the grain left by auger 96a and 96b and, in fact, by.utilizing sufficient air pressure and the proper nozzle apparatus, this arrangement eliminates entirely the need for augers 96a and 96b.

During the germination period, the conveyor means 95 is stored at endwall 18 of the compartment 15. To prevent conveyor means 95 from interferring with the serted through each of the aligned openings 145 and 148 thereby attaching the conveyor means 95 to the agitator means 60.-Although the described arrangement for attaching the conveyor means 95 to the agitator means 60 is highly desirable, it will be readily apparent that numerous modifications can be made to this arrangement.

The operation of the above apparatus can be de-v scribed as follows. During the germination period, the conveyor means 95 is stored at endwall 18 as mentioned previously. Upon the activation of agitating means 60, it travels the length of the germination compartment 15 with pneumatic switches90 and .91 stopping the movement of agitator 60 as described above. Concurrently, the augers 62 rotate so as to thoroughly mix the grain within the compartmentlS. This exposes crank members 140 are operated so as to move carriage arrangements 130a-130d bringing into alignment the opening 145 in each of the L-shaped members 132 with the opening 148 in the mating attachment arms 105a-l05d. When aligned, pin 150 is inserted through each of the pairs of aligned openings so as to attach the conveyor means 95 to the agitating means 60. Drive shaft 100 is then attached to differential 101a.

80 attached, the inner horizontally extending portion of each of the attachment arm's 105a-105d engages a stud or pin member 155 attached to each of the moveable carriage members 133. As can be readily appreciated from FIG. 10, pin 155 prevents counter clockwise movement of the attached conveyor means 95 while allowing clockwise movement thereof. This allows the conveyor means 95 to swing freely in a clockwise direction away from an obstruction on compartment floor or when simply overloaded with malted product. To prevent damage to agitator 60 and conveyor 95 upon the apparatus swinging in a clockwise direction, a switch arm 158 extends vertically upward from its attachment to conveyor 95 so as to contact a limit switch 160 mounted on agitator 60. Limit switch 160 is electrically connected to the agitator 60 for deactivating .the electric motors 68 and 75. Thus, upon conveyor 95 pivoting in a clockwise (i.e., rearward) direction through a'predetermined arc, arm 158 engages limit switch 160 terminating the rotation of transverse augers 96a and 96b, vertical augers 62, and the forward movement of the entire apparatus within bin 15.

With conveyor means 95 attached to agitator means 60, drive shaft 100 is attached as described previously and the releasable hooks 126 are disengaged from eyelets 128 thereby allowing the attached conveyor means 95 to move with the agitating means 60 upon the activation thereof. The gate portion 18a of endwall 18 is then manually raised providing an opening for the aucompartment 15. This also allows a portion of the grain adjacent the wall 18 to pass through the wall opening and into the chamber 40 beneath the compartment floor 20. With gate portion 18a raised, the agitator 60 and attached conveyor 95 are then moved outwardly from endwall 18 to a point at which augers 62 have passed beyond the transversely extending gates 46and 46b. The gates 46a and 46b are then opened by actuating a switch (not shown) allowing the malt product above the gates to pass therethrough into hopper 40. With this accomplished, agitator is activated. With drive wheels 82 pulling the apparatus through the malted product toward endwall l9, pneumatic switch actuating rod 93b engages the first of the pneumatic .gers 96a and 96b to pass through into the germination switches (i.e., switch 35a positioned along sidewall 16). Upon the engagement of rod 93b with switch 35a, the first gate 28a is opened by the energization of pneumatic cylinder 31 allowing the'malted product above the gate to pass therethrough into the chamber 40 beneath compartment floor 20. The apparatus continues to move forwardly toward endwall 19 with the augers 96a and 96b conveying the malted product inwardly toward the opened gate 28a. As this movement continues, the actuating rod 93b engages the second pneumatic switch 35b opening the second longitudinally extending gate member 28b in the first pair of such gates.

Additional malted product then passes into chamber 40 V beneath compartment floor 20 and the augers 96a and 96b continue to convey the outermost 'malted product inwardly to the opening 23 defined by the opened gates 28a and 28b. As the apparatus continues to move toward endwall 19, the remaining pneumatic switches 35c, 35d, etc. are successively actuated by rod 93b energizing the connected pneumatic cylinder pivoting the attached gate member to its open position. The apparatus continues to move within the germination compartment 15 until reaching the endwall 19 and the switching plate 93a engages the pneumatic switch 91 for stopping the movement of the apparatus. The transversely extending gate members 51 and 52 are then opened by actuating a manually operated pneumatic switch (not shown). The malt product discharged from germination compartment 15 through each of the pivotable gates enters hopper 40 falling downwardly along the walls thereof until it comes to rest on screw conveyor 42. Typically, conveyor 42 will transport the malt to a drying kiln.

During the return path of agitator 60 and conveyor within compartment 15, a spray of water can be provided by the spray conduit 114 so as to further facilitate washing of the germination compartment. The pivotable gates are closed in a reverse sequence during the washing operation and the return of the apparatus to endwall 18. Upon returning to the position adjacent the endwall 18, the apparatus is de-actuated and the conveyor means 95 returned to its storage position shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 12. If necessary, further hand cleaning of the germination compartment can be effected prior to the closing of the opened gate members and the introducing of a new supply of grain into the germination bin.

Since my invention has been described with reference to only a particularly preferred embodiment thereof, numerous modifications thereto will be readily apparent to the artisan. For instance, it should be readily apparent that numerous modifications can be made to the described compartment floor, floor gates and means for pivoting the floor gates. Additionally, the described transverse conveyor could be modified in numerous respects. This being the case, it is my intent to be limited solely by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus, comprising:

i a. a generally rectangular compartment for containing a granular substance and having an essentially horizontal perforated floor containing a longitudinally extending opening therein, said opening being relatively narrow compared to the width of said compartment;

b. gate means mounted within said opening in said compartment floor and pivotable between an essentially horizontal closed first position generally coextensive with said opening and an open second position extending downwardly from said opening to permit discharge of the granular substance therethrough, said gate means including a plurality of gates extending longitudinally in general end to end relationship, each 'of said gates being individually pivoted between said'first andsecond positions to open and close independently of another gate;

' c. conveyor meansextending generally transversely within said compartment and movable longitudinally therein for conveying the granular substance toward said gate means to empty said compartment of said granular substance, the'granular substance being discharged through said opening in said compartment floor when said gate means is in said open position; and d. agitating means movable longitudinally within said compartment for mixing the granular substance contained within said compartment, said means lifting some of the granular substance from the lower portion of the compartment toward the upper surface of the granular substance contained therein. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for pivoting each of said gates between their first and second positions at a predetermined position of said conveyor means within 'said compartment.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said compartment has a generally rectangular transverse cross section and said opening in said compartment floor extends longitudinally. generally the entire length of said compartment essentially'equidistance from the walls thereof,

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

a. each'of said gates is comprised of a pair of gate panels, the individual panels of each of said pairs being pivotably attached to opposite edges of said opening in an opposing relationship to one another; and Y b. said means for pivoting said gate means successively pivots each of said gate pairs independently of one another. 4

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

a. said agitating means includes a plurality of vertically extending transversely spaced augers; b. said conveyor means includes a screw conveyor; v c. said conveyor means is removably attachable to said agitating means with said screw conveyor posi tioned immediately behind said augers and adjacent said compartment floor. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said conveyor means further includes a transversely extending augerlike brush attached to said conveyor means immedi- 12 ately behind said screw conveyor.

7. The apparatusof claim 5 wherein said conveyor means further includes. a conduit connectable to a source of compressed air and having a plurality of transversely spaced'nozzles attached thereto for directing the compressed air toward said compartment floor and inwardly toward said central opening.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said germination compartment includes an endwall having means associated therewith for maintainingsaid conveyor means in a fixed storage position at: said endwall during the germination period.

9. Apparatus, comprising:

a. a compartment for containing a granular substance;

b. said compartmenthaving an essentially horizontally floor defining a longitudinally extending opening therein;

c. gate means mounted within said opening in said compartment floor and pivotable between an essentially horizontal first position generally coextensive with said opening and a second position extending downwardly from said opening, said gate means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced gates each mounted within said opening, said gates being individually pivotable between said first and second positions to open and close independently of one another, said gates comprising pairs of gates, each of said pairs being pivotally attached to opposite edges of said opening in an opposing relationship to oneanother;

d. conveyor means extending generally transversely within said compartment and-movable longitudinally therein for conveying the granular substance towards said gate means to empty said compart. ment, the granular substance being discharged through said opening in said compartment floor when said gate means is in said second position;

e. means for pivoting said gate means between said first and second positions at a predetermined position of said conveyor means within said compartment;

f. agitating means movable longitudinally within said compartment for mixing. the granular substance introduced into said compartment and wherein said conveyor means is removably attachable to said agitating means;

g. said compartment having a generally rectangular transverse cross-section and said opening in said compartment floor extending longitudinally generally the entire length of said compartment, essentially equidistance from the walls of said compartment; and

h. said means for pivoting said gate means successively pivots each of said gate pairs independently of one another.

Column '9, Line 60 "gates 46and" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 340 435 Dated I Rees E. Damon It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent I i and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: i i

- Column 3, Line 50 "a storage for germination" v 7 should read a storage or germination Column 5, line 67 to j I Column 6, line If "auge'rs engage alternatively" v V I should read augers are alternatively Column 6, Line 4 "to engate the" a l should read to engage 'the v Column 6, Line 26 "upper edge each of" g r should read upper edge of each of (iolumn 8, Line 34 "at it" should read at its should read gates 46a and Co1u 1 n1 1 1 Z lines ,7 r 1 v 4 16 and 17, "horizontally floor" should read horizontalfloor" Signed and sealed this 4th day of February 1 97;.

(SEAL) Attest:

- M COY M.' GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN A testing Officer Commissioner of Patents 7 I 

1. APPARATUS, COMPRISING: A. A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR COMPARTMENT FOR CONTAINING A GRANDULAR SUBSTANCE AND HAVING AN ESSENTIALLY HORIZONTAL PERFORATED FLOOR CONTAINING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING OPENING THEREIN, SAID OPENING BEING RELATIVELY NARROW COMPARED TO THE WIDTH OF SAID COMPARTMENT; B. GATE MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID OPENONG IN SAID COMPARTMENT FLOOR AND PIVOTABLE BETWEEN AN ESSENTIALLY HORIZONTAL CLOSED FIRST POSITION GENERALLY COEXTENSIVE WITH SAID OPENING AND AN OPEN SECOND POSITION EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID OPENING TO PERMIT DISCHARGE OF THE GRANDULAR SUBSTANCE THERETHOUGH, SAID GATE MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF GATES EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY IN GENERAL END TO END RELATIONSHIP, EACH OF SAID GATES BEING INDIVIDUALLY PIVOTED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS TO OPEN AND CLOSED INDEPENDENTLY OF ANOTHER GATE; C. CONVEYOR MEANS EXTENDING GENERALLY TRANSVERSELY WITHIN
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for pivoting each of said gates between their first and second positions at a predetermined position of said conveyor means within said compartment.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said compartment has a generally rectangular transverse cross-section and said opening in said compartment floor extends longitudinally generally the entire length of said compartment essentially equidistance from the walls thereof.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: a. each of said gates is comprised of a pair of gate panels, the individual panels of each of said pairs being pivotably attached to opposite edges of said opening in an opposing relationship to one another; and b. said means for pivoting said gate means successively pivots each of said gate pairs independently of one another.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: a. said agitating means includes a plurality of vertically extending transversely spaced augers; b. said conveyor means includes a screw conveyor; and c. said conveyor means is removably attachable to said agitating means with said screw conveyor positioned immediately behind said augers and adjacent said compartment floor.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said conveyor means further includes a transversely extending auger-like brush attached to said conveyor means immediately behind said screw conveyor.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said conveyor means further includes a conduit connectable to a source of compressed air and having a plurality of transversely spaced nozzles attached thereto for directing the compressed air toward said compartment floor and inwardly toward said central opening.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said germination compartment includes an endwall having means associated therewith for maintaining said conveyor means in a fixed storage position at said endwall during the germination period.
 9. Apparatus, comprising: a. a compartment for containing a granular substance; b. said compartment having an essentially horizontally floor defining a longitudinally extending opEning therein; c. gate means mounted within said opening in said compartment floor and pivotable between an essentially horizontal first position generally coextensive with said opening and a second position extending downwardly from said opening, said gate means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced gates each mounted within said opening, said gates being individually pivotable between said first and second positions to open and close independently of one another, said gates comprising pairs of gates, each of said pairs being pivotally attached to opposite edges of said opening in an opposing relationship to one another; d. conveyor means extending generally transversely within said compartment and movable longitudinally therein for conveying the granular substance towards said gate means to empty said compartment, the granular substance being discharged through said opening in said compartment floor when said gate means is in said second position; e. means for pivoting said gate means between said first and second positions at a predetermined position of said conveyor means within said compartment; f. agitating means movable longitudinally within said compartment for mixing the granular substance introduced into said compartment and wherein said conveyor means is removably attachable to said agitating means; g. said compartment having a generally rectangular transverse cross-section and said opening in said compartment floor extending longitudinally generally the entire length of said compartment, essentially equidistance from the walls of said compartment; and h. said means for pivoting said gate means successively pivots each of said gate pairs independently of one another. 